Cor Vasa 2023, 65(5):735-739 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.022

Prevalence and predictors of pacemaker dependency: Data from a cardiac centre registry in Iraq

Haitham Ali Abdullah, Ali Al-Mossawi, Kasim Abbas Ismail Al-Iqabby

Ibn Al-Bitar Cardiac Centre, Baghdad, Iraq

Background: Pacemaker dependency can be defined generally as inadequate or absent patient intrinsic rhythm, it has a dangerous consequence during conditions that may affect pacemaker function.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of pacemaker dependency among patients with permanent pacemaker and to analyze the particular factors that may affect its occurrence. Grouping the patients to pacemaker dependent or not has a great effect on patient management. Patients and method: A cross-sectional study enrolled 400 patients with permanent pacemaker for different bradyarrhythmia abnormalities. Patients visited Ibn Al-Bitar Specialized Center for cardiac surgery from November 2013 to August 2014 as a part of their follow up programming. The test for pacemaker dependency was performed by decreasing the base paced rate to 30 bpm with close observation to the presence of intrinsic rhythm as well as development of symptoms related to under pacing. All data needed for our research were obtained via questionnaire, programming, and patient previous data.

Conclusion: Pacemaker dependency was identified in 17% of the enrolled patients. The underlying rhythm before implantation and the total time of pacing were the most important variables that affect the incidence of dependency. Patients' demographic characteristics were not associated with pacemaker dependency. Mode of pacing, rate adaptive mode, and time since pacemaker implantation were not found to be associated with pacemaker dependency.

Keywords: Bradyarrythmia, Intrinsic rhythm, Pacemaker dependency, Pacing, Underlying rhythm

Received: February 23, 2023; Revised: February 23, 2023; Accepted: March 16, 2023; Published: October 15, 2023  Show citation